Ojudu made this known in a statement titled: Principled Political Choices Are Not Betrayal, and made available to The Guardian in Ado Ekiti, saying that he could not, in good conscience, support Tinubu or vote for him in the party’s primary.
“So, on the 2023 matter, I wish him well, but I cannot, in good conscience, give him my support or vote for him in the primary. It is my right. I am above 60 years. At a point, I almost died seeking democratic rights, detained and severally tortured.
“As such, no one should think he can browbeat or blackmail me to do what does not agree with my conscience or ideals. Enough of the telephone threats and embarrassment of my family members,” he said.
Ojudu said he knew Tinubu very well, adding: I respect and adore him. Many of his latter-day supporters do not even know him. If they do, they won’t resort to emotional and physical blackmail.”
He recalled that when Tinubu decided to go against Afenifere and Yoruba elders in 2003 by refusing to support President Olusegun Obasanjo, he did not betray the Yoruba nation, nor was he a traitor of Afenifere.
MEANWHILE, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has cautioned supporters and loyalists of Yoruba politicians aspiring for the presidency in 2023 against attempts to pull any of the contestants down.
It gave the charge following Tinubu’s declaration of interest to contest for the presidency in 2023, while supporters of Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo have been mobilising for him.
Specifically, the YCE condemned the social media war and mudslinging between the supporters of Tinubu and Osinbajo aimed at pulling down and disparaging the duo.
